This has been one hell of a year for record-breaking feats. The first successful Everest season in three years, the Summer Olympics in Rio, advances in technology, and shared passions came together to make this one of the most memorable years for records in recent history. When asked about 2016, Adrian Ballinger, who set a speed record on Cho Oyu this year, put it this way: "Athleticism, training, technology, and passion have always been crucial components of sports. In 2016 we saw these elements combine into something even greater than the sum of their parts, as individuals and teams all over the world not only went farther and faster in their athletic pursuits but also shared their stories more openly and powerfully than ever before."